Friday, October 12, 2012

The Art of Procrastination: Option 2. Get someone else to do it!

Aha, Now THIS is more like it, I hear you say as you see those magic words 'Get someone else to do it'.  After the shock of option 1 and 'make like a princess' people do tend to brighten up at the prospect of NOT doing it themselves, despite the reward.

There are some tasks that you just know you will never get the motivation to do.  You're not a bad Person.  You just hate it body and soul.  Getting someone else to do this dreaded task is always an option.  You hate doing some things but love others.  Other people hate what you love but love what you hate soooo......  Do I need to connect the dots here?

Diversity is a wonderful thing.  If we were all just like me then no admin would EVER get done and, I am sure, the world would quickly fall apart.  Thankfully not everyone is like me and so the world still spins on its axis and forms get filled in by people who are delighted to do it.  It's a complete mystery to me WHY they like paperwork so much, but I am forever grateful for their apparent gifts and unbridled joy, which in turn makes me joyful as I no longer have to chew the end of my pencil in frustration.

The only challenge is finding this amazing person as we typically gravitate towards people who are like us and value the same things we value.  So you need to start looking around you at the gifts other people have and that may mean opening your mind to the value different people bring.

Then once you have found this magical person, just as you reward yourself, you need to reward THEM.  Notice I said reward, I didn't say pay.  Money does not necessarily need to be involved. It is only one of the resources at your disposal so what else can you do to reward this person.  They are after all rescuing you from something you hate?

Try finding out what they value or what they hate.  If it's something you like, have or can easily manage then Hey Presto!  You may have a deal. 

So in summary: Option 2 is 'Get someone else to do it BUT reward them'.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Art of Procrastination: Option 1, Make like a Princess

So a client has stood me up and as I have not had a lunch break, and as nearly all my admin is up to date, I am taking this opportunity to write and let you in on option 1 in the noble art of procrastination.

The story so far: The hated task is leering at you (for me admin). You know it's there. You are dreading it. You REALLY do not want to do it. In fact physical pain is preferable.

The first question I'd suggest you ask yourself is 'How important is completing this task to my business/life/whatever?'

It may be that it is not important or does not need to get done ever, and if that is the case why do it? You can in fact take great delight in using your sharpie and permanently removing it from the list... forever. GONE!

If however, it is something that needs to be done then you have a choice.

Your first option. There's no nice way to say this so I won't even try. The first option you have is to make like a princess, suck it up and just do it. I know, it's not nice. It's not what anyone wants to hear, but sometimes you just have to suck it up like the good little princess you are and do it. Sigh. It really is that simple.

BUT, and here's the kicker, you reward yourself. That's the sweetener, the incentive and the reason why you do it.

You have to be nice to yourself. This is a task/job/whatever you absolutely detest, something you would rather not do and the only person who knows how awful this task/thing that must not be named is, is you and maybe your business coach. So treat yourself. Make this task as painless as possible and reward yourself after. Make it a reward you want. Something that will compensate you for the pain you are about to face, and something you can look forward to.

So, that begs the question 'what does reward look like to you?;' Every one is different and we all take our pleasures in different ways. Do you like hot bubble baths with a glass of wine and a good book? Do you like going to the flicks? Do you deserve a weekend/night/day off? Just because it's a reward does not mean you have to spend money.

Think about how you can treat yourself after, and plan to do this very thing ONCE the dreaded task is done. Go on, celebrate! Kick up your heels. It's allowed and in my opinion is required. You have faced the nightmare, done battle with your demons and won. The damned thing is DONE. You can take great delight in crossing the thing off your to do list!

So to summarize option 1: Suck it up Princess. Get like Nike, and just DO IT. BUT remember to celebrate and reward yourself.

If option 1, does not appeal, then we are onto option 2.... and that will be covered in the next post.

Monday, October 1, 2012

The art of procrastination

You know it IS an art.  And I am an Olympic master.
If I honestly put as much energy and time into actually doing the 'hated task or unknown thing' I'm putting off, I swear I'd be superwoman.

But like most people, I wallow.  I think.  I create a schedule. I use colours and charts and sticky notes.  Then I completely disregard the schedule and feel bad. I think again.  Finally when I start to consider re-grouting the bathroom tiles, or cleaning the toilet with a toothbrush I finally clue in.

I am not proud to admit that it is then and only then (when cleaning is suddenly appealing) that I woman-up and face the fact I am in major procrastination mode and something needs to change.

Over the years I have wittled down the areas where I procrastinate.  Whoever is it that said "Know thy self" was someone I'd like to shake the hand of.  We all know the things we like, where we excel, but this simple three word sentence in archaic English also includes knowing where our flaws and warts are too. Our shadow self.

Most of mine lie in admin.  Any admin, and that includes accounts.  Which is rather sad as I am actually very good at it.  Admin sadly is a pass time that I would rather not do, thankyouverymuch.

Designing admin systems?  I'm your woman.  Oh I love doing that, but the day to day maintaining of those wonderfully constructed logical systems, I'd rather you just pulled out my fingernails one by one or stuck pins in my eyes.  I'd honestly find it less painful.  Really I would.

So what can I or you do about it?

You have a choice.  There is hope.


There is a solution, and in true cliff hanger style, and because I want you to keep reading I'll cover the three options (yes, there are three) in the next postings....